The First Journeys

The First Journeys is a tactile exploration where Vietnamese heritage and Queer identity come together. This project features a suitcase adorned with a Mother-of-Pearl inlay, infused with mythical storytelling elements, and reimagining tradition as a living, dynamic conversation.

With the missions to highlight Vietnamese queer identities throughout history while integrating traditional perspectives on queerness, as well as appreciating and promoting traditional Vietnamese art of Mother-of-pearl inlay lacquerwork. Here, under the focal lens of folk’s belief in yin and yang, the work challenges the idea that queerness is a foreign concept. Instead, it mirrors the fluidity embedded in every illustration, positioning queerness as an integral part of the nation’s social fabric.